Obituary: Maria Paula Chavez

The youngest of 10 children, Maria was born June 29, 1947, in Kingman to Jose and Ignacia Chavez. She was the only member of her family to be born in a hospital.

Maria was educated in Kingman at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Mohave Union High School. She later attended the University of Arizona. Maria was employed for many years at the Bureau of Land Management in Phoenix. She later returned to Kingman to assist her sister, Carmen, care for their mother. Maria retired from the BLM in 2007.

In her retirement, she enjoyed reading, baking, and quilting. She also traveled extensively, including a notable pilgrimage accompanied by some of her nieces to Jerusalem and Fatima.

Maria’s gentle spirit and kind manner will be missed by her many friends, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5-6 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Sutton funeral home. Rosary will immediately follow visitation from 6-7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Kingman. Graveside service and reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s name to Hospice of the Valley, University of Arizona, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.